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Penn State Altoona

Environmental Studies

Altoona College (ENVBS)

Professor Darin Zimmerman, Head

This interdisciplinary major is designed to provide students with an integrated and critical knowledge of the natural environment and human interactions with it. Students will receive a strong foundation in the natural and physical sciences, but will extend their studies across several disciplines, emphasizing both public policy issues and the role of the natural environment in literature, history, and culture. The goal of the program is "ecological literacy," which means that students will develop a broad-based understanding and awareness of environments and environmental issues, and they will develop the problem-solving and technical skills to address those issues. Program requirements include interdisciplinary courses in environmental studies and a broad array of courses in biology, geology, chemistry, physics, geography, economics, political science, English, history, and philosophy. By selecting appropriate electives to supplement the "additional courses" requirement of the major, students may develop an emphasis in either a specific field (i.e., biology) or in a general area of study (natural science, social science, and humanities).

The B.S. in Environmental Studies will better prepare our graduates for graduate studies and/or employment in the sciences (e.g., ecology, geosciences, environmental sciences, and physical geography). Many graduate programs require at least one semester of calculus, chemistry, and physics. Furthermore, the requirements of additional 400-level courses in the sciences will permit students to target their undergraduate studies in a particular area of science so that they are best prepared for graduate work in their area of choice and/or employment.

Entrance to Major Requirements:For entrance into the Environmental Studies B.S. program, students must have completed the following course ENVST 100(3) and have received a grade of C or better in the course.

For the B.S. degree in Environmental Studies, a minimum of 121 credits is required.

Scheduling Recommendations by Semester Standing given like (Sem: 1-2)

GENERAL EDUCATION: 45 credits (24 of these 45 credits are included in the REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR) (See description of General Education in this bulletin.)

FIRST-YEAR SEMINAR:(Included in ELECTIVES or GENERAL EDUCATION course selection)

UNITED STATES CULTURES AND INTERNATIONAL CULTURES:(Included in ELECTIVES, GENERAL EDUCATION course selections or REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR)

WRITING ACROSS THE CURRICULUM:(Included in REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR)

SUPPORTING COURSES AND RELATED AREAS (12 credits) Select 12 credits from the three departmental lists (6 in natural science department list, 3 in social science department list, and 3 in arts and humanities department list in consultation with an academic adviser.) At least nine credits must be at the 400-level.

[1]A student enrolled in this major must receive a grade of C or better, as specified in Senate Policy 82-44.

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